A band truly shows skill when they
can reinterpret their music and rethink their very sound. So, when post-hardcore band Hands Like Houses
released an acoustic album, aptly titled Reimagine,
I had to listen. Hands Like Houses created acoustic versions their favorite
songs off of their album Unimagine
(hence the title being Reimagine), and
the listener couldn’t be more pleased with this creation. Indeed, each song is
re-imagined. This is more than an acoustic album- it’s an entire
reinterpretation of their music. It’s a gutsy move, but Hands Like Houses pulls
through in showcasing their talent.
‘Recollect’ (originally ‘Shapeshifters’)
kicks of the album with an acoustic rendition of a very fast-paced and upbeat
track. ‘Recollect’ retains the beat (via
handclaps- holy shit!) but now features a more melodic and lulling sound
than the original track. Vocalist Trent Woodley definitely shows off his vocal
prowess in this track.
‘Revive’ (originally ‘Introduced
Species’) is a real gem on this album. There’s a whole new tune and meaning
created in this song. It’s now calmer, soothing, and hauntingly beautiful.
Engaging vocals from the whole band creates a sort of gorgeously eerie effect
as it is paired with a brilliant display of guitar works and bongos. Fucking bongos, guys. You have to listen to this
track to truly understand.
Next up is ‘Rediscover,’ their rendition
of ‘No Parallels.’ This track is still retains its fast pace, but has a newly
developed melodic sound. It will leave you swaying just as much as the original
track, guaranteed. It’s just as upbeat and fun as the original, but you can more
greatly appreciate harmonies that are generally lost in the distortion in the
original track. Moreover, reimagining the overlaying guitar riff as whistling
is an extremely brilliant move, and allows for lighter riffs to come through
and be heard.
‘Release’ is their revamped ‘A
Tale Of Outer Suburbia’, in which an already haunting song becomes even more evocative
in its newly reverberated form. The instrumentation perfectly accompanies the
soft vocals. It’s a soft, calming track that can accompany autumn walks down lonely
roads.
We end with ‘Reflect’ (originally
Developments), another hauntingly beautiful song. Woodley displays a great
variety in dynamics in this song. It’s gorgeous, and is alternating with the
guitar riffs that fade in and out. It creates a perpetuated, eerie effect that
raises hairs and also soothes. The muted drums were a perfect pick- no instrument
is overpowering. Everything blends perfectly.
Of all the songs, this one truly carries the “acoustic vibe” in softness and its
light harmonies.
Overall, Reimagine is a gorgeous album. It’s a perfect display of true craft
and musicianship as a very post-hardcore-y (for lack of a better term) band
turns very acoustic. You need raw talent to do what this band did. Reimagine is a perfect reinterpretation
of their music instrumentally and vocally, without any change lyrically.
Woodley described Reimagine as “…a parallel and a
discovery of Unimagine”, and he couldn’t be more right about this album. Hands
Like Houses embodies what it truly means to reimagine- in riffs, in sound, in
performance and appearance. Go forth and
buy this now; I wouldn’t be caught dead without this must-have release of 2014.
10/10
